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Article published In:
Bochumer Philosophisches Jahrbuch für Antike und Mittelalter: Band 23
Herausgegeben von Manuel Baumbach und Olaf Pluta
[Bochumer Philosophisches Jahrbuch für Antike und Mittelalter 23] 2020
► pp. 1–32

Cratylus 439D3–440C1

Its texts, its arguments, and why it is not about forms

| University of Lisbon

Some interpreters take the arguments at Cratylus 439D3–440C1 to argue for Forms. Some interpreters also believe that these arguments are elliptical or contain lacunae. I accept that the arguments are elliptical. However, I deny that they contain lacunae. I present the most natural construal of the text and argue that it neither trades on Forms nor postulates Forms. To make my case, I show that Cratylus 439D3–440C1 has a modest end, which is to refute a particular notion of flux.

Article outline
  • 1.The context
  • 2.Introduction to the arguments
  • 3.The arguments
    • 3.1The first argument
    • 3.2The second argument
    • 3.3The third argument
    • 3.4The fourth argument
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 8 September 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/bpjam.00054.nor
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